Top 5 photographs of September 2025

A couple of years ago, we dedicated a couple of articles to the 2021 World Naturalist Challenge . Naturalist, or iNaturalist (its name varies depending on the region), is a widely used citizen science platform for reporting the presence of living beings and identifying any plant, fungus, or animal you encounter. Having the iNaturalist app on your phone gives you the equivalent of a real-world PokeDex. In this monthly section, we want to highlight the best photographs taken in Honduras and uploaded to the iNaturalist citizen science platform during the month of September.

5. Narrow-banded skimmer (Erythrodiplax umbrata)

Observed by Delmer in the vicinity of Tela, Atlántida. This insect is easily identifiable by the black spots on its four wings. Dragonflies depend on bodies of water, as their early stages are aquatic.

4. Common locust (Ctenosaura similis)

Photo captured by camilablandon_28142 at the El Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School. The composition is interesting, as it captures camouflage within an urban structure, which has undoubtedly helped this reptile bask more safely in the sun than the less orange-colored garrobos.

3. Honduran Timbo (Metlapilcoatlus indomitus)

To remind us to be cautious when out in the field, kathgalvez photographed this beautiful specimen of the Honduran timbo. This venomous species is also considered endangered, as its known populations are few and are found in areas of environmental degradation. Although a few years ago it was believed to be endemic to Honduras, today we know it can be found in the Nicaraguan border department of Nueva Segovia¹.

2. Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)

From Santa Barbara, josemadrid13 managed to photograph this beautiful screech owl. Seen from behind, the coloration of this owl's plumage makes it appear to have "two eyes" on its back².

1. Savannah Owl (Megascops cooperi)

September was a great month for owl photography. Oliverkomar photographed this beautiful specimen near El Zamorano. This species' distribution in Honduras is limited to the Pacific slope².

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REFERENCES

1. Suazo-Ortega OR, Castro JA, Molina C. 2024. Nuevos registros de Metlapilcoatlus indomitus (Serpentes: Viperidae) en Honduras, con comentarios sobre su reproducción. Revista Latinoamericana de Herpetología 7(3): 18-23

2. Fagan J, Komar O. 2016. Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Northern Central America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, New York.